Plug removal tool and methods thereof

ABSTRACT

A plug removal tool may include a mount for attaching the plug removal tool to a structure and a plug nut. Additionally, the plug removal tool may include at least one rigid arm extending between the mount and the plug nut. Further, the at least one arm may have at least one translational degree of movement and at least one rotational degree of movement.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 62/751,182 filed Oct. 26, 2018, which is herein incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND Field

Embodiments described herein generally relate to flow skids used in theoil & gas industry. Specifically, embodiments described herein relate toremoval of a plug from such flow skids.

Description of the Related Art

Modular flow skids may be useful in the process of extracting andmanaging wells that are drilled into the earth to retrieve one or moresubterranean natural resources, including oil and gas. Such skids may beutilized both offshore and onshore. For example, modular flow skids maybe used for surface well testing to assess the reservoir potential,validate well performance during cleanup and commissioning, and to allowfor reservoir monitoring for better field management. A modular flowskid is a structure having a set of pipes and components (i.e., fluidconduits) through which fluid (e.g., oil, gas, water, frac fluid, andtesting fluids) may flow. In addition, the flow skid may include anumber of flow control devices, including chokes, valves, and plugs, andmay also include a number of instruments or devices for measuring andobtaining pertinent data about the fluid flowing through the one or morepipes located in the flow control modules. Further, the modular flowskid may include screens or filters inserted within the fluid conduitsof the modular flow skid. Screens or filters are used to clean, filter,and remove debris from the fluid flowing through the fluid conduits.

During operations, the screens or filters are used to filter, clean, andremove debris from the fluid flowing through the fluid conduits.Subsequently, the screens or filters need to cleaned, emptied, repairedand/or replaced from time to time. As known in the art, a filter may bea structure used to filter, clean, and remove debris from fluids flowingthrough fluid conduits. In order to clean, empty, and/or replace thefilters, the fluid conduits are opened in order to access the filter.For example, the fluid conduit may have an opening, which is closed witha plug or insert, to access the filter within the fluid conduits. Asillustrated in FIG. 1 , in conventional methods, a plug 1, which is usedto close an opening 2 of a flow conduit 3 of a modular flow skid 4, istaken off the opening 2 using a manual hook 5 attached to said plug 1 incombination with an overhead crane or pulley 6 to support a weight ofthe plug 1.

SUMMARY

This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that arefurther described below in the detailed description. This summary is notintended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subjectmatter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope ofthe claimed subject matter.

In one aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein provide a plug removaltool that has a mount for attaching the plug removal tool to astructure; a plug nut; and at least one rigid arm extending between themount and the plug nut, the at least one arm having at least onetranslational degree of movement and at least one rotational degree ofmovement.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein provide a method forremoving a filter in a fluid conduit by removing a plug nut from anopening of the fluid conduit; supporting the plug nut with a plugremoval tool, thereby defining a limited movement of the plug nut whileremoved from the opening; and removing the filter through the opening ofthe fluid conduit.

In another aspect, the embodiments disclosed herein provide a systemwith a modular skid having a fluid conduit, wherein the fluid conduithas a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least one plug removal toolremovably attached to the modular skid, wherein the plug removal toolincludes a mounting bracket that comprises a first swivel joint, a firstarm extending from a first end to a second end, wherein the first end isattached to the first swivel joint, a second arm slidably attached tothe first arm between the first end and the second end, a second swiveljoint connected to a distal end of the second arm, and a plug nutattached to the second swivel joint, wherein the plug removal tool isconfigured to remove or insert the plug nut from an opening of the fluidconduit.

Other aspects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription and the appended claims

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

So that the manner in which the above recited features of the presentdisclosure can be understood in detail, a more particular description ofthe disclosure, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference toembodiments, some of which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Itis to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate onlyexemplary embodiments and are therefore not to be considered limiting ofits scope, may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a plug removal system in accordance withthe prior art.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plug removal tool in accordance withone or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 3 and 4 are a perspective view of a modular skid with the plugremoval tool of FIG. 2 in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent disclosure.

FIG. 5A is a side view of the plug removal tool of FIG. 3 in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have beenused, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common tothe figures. It is contemplated that elements and features of oneembodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments withoutfurther recitation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present disclosure are described below in detail withreference to the accompanying figures. Like elements in the variousfigures may be denoted by like reference numerals for consistency.Further, in the following detailed description, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understandingof the claimed subject matter. However, it will be apparent to onehaving ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described may bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownfeatures have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarilycomplicating the description.

Further, embodiments disclosed herein are described with termsdesignating a drilling rig site in reference to a drilling rig, but anyterms designating rig type (i.e., any land rig or offshore rig) shouldnot be deemed to limit the scope of the disclosure. It is to be furtherunderstood that the various embodiments described herein may be used invarious stages of a well, such as rig site preparation, drilling,completion, abandonment etc., and in other environments, such aswork-over rigs, fracking installation, well-testing installation, oiland gas production installation, without departing from the scope of thepresent disclosure. The embodiments are described merely as examples ofuseful applications, which are not limited to any specific details ofthe embodiments herein.

In one aspect, embodiments disclosed herein relate to a plug removaltool. A plug removal tool may also be interchangeably referred to as aplug support tool in the present disclosure. Similarly, a filter may beinterchangeably referred to as a screen in the present disclosure. Asused herein, the term “coupled” or “coupled to” or “connected” or“connected to” may indicate establishing either a direct or an indirectconnection, and is not limited to either unless expressly referenced assuch. Wherever possible, like or identical reference numerals are usedin the figures to identify common or the same elements. The figures arenot necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of thefigures may be shown exaggerated in scale for purposes of clarification.

Plug removal tools, according to embodiments herein, are apparatusesthat include a plurality of joints for moving a plug from or to anopening of a fluid conduit and at least one arm to aid in moving andsupporting the plug when unplugged from the fluid conduct. It isenvisioned that the plug removal tool may have at least one rigid arm towhich the plug nut is attached, where the at least one rigid armincludes at least one rotational degree of movement and at least onetranslational degree of movement such that the plug nut may be movedaway from the opening to remove a filter therefrom. However, therigidity provided by the at least one arm eliminates the greater degreesof movement allowed by conventional mechanisms for removing the plugfrom the opening of the conduit. In addition, the plug removal tools maybe run mechanically, hydraulically, or pneumatically. The elimination ofmanual hooks and the use of an overhead crane significantly reduce HSErisks, potentially equipment damage, and unwanted downtime. As describedin FIG. 1 , conventional methods of removing (or inserting) the plug 1from the opening 2 of the flow conduit 3 within the modular flow skid 4in the oil and gas industry are typically the manual hook 5 handled by auser (not shown). Further, the overhead crane or pulley 6 is needed tocomplete the extraction (or insertion) of the plug 1. Such conventionalmethods may be both time consuming and may also increase HSE risks. Forexample, in order to remove the plug 1, the user manually attaches thehook 5 to the plug 1 and rotates the plug 1 onto (or off) the opening 2until enough of the plug 1 is free from the opening 2 such that the usermay use the overhead crane 6 to support the plug 1. This additionalmanual hands-on method by the user adds to increasing the likelihood ofHSE risk, spillage of fluids onto the rig floor, damage to equipment,and cause unwanted downtown. Accordingly, one or more embodiments in thepresent disclosure may be used to overcome such challenges as well asprovide additional advantages over conventional methods of plug removalin oil and gas operations, as will be apparent to one of ordinary skillin the art upon reading this disclosure.

Turning to FIG. 2 , FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a plug removaltool 100 for removing/inserting and supporting a plug nut 120 inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure. Asused herein, a plug nut, such as the plug nut 120, may include anystructure that blocks a flow of fluids (which may include liquids,gases, and/or mixtures thereof) in a fluid conduit from flowing furtherand which may be secured in place to serve as such a blockage. In anon-limiting example, the plug nut 120 may include a thread such thatthe plug nut 120 may be unscrewed or screwed onto a body of the fluidconduit. The plug nut 120 is further described in FIGS. 5A and 5B andshown as including a plug component and a nut component. In one or moreembodiments, the plug removal tool 100 may include a mounting bracket101 or other mount for mounting the plug removal tool 100 onto astructure so that the weight of plug nut 120 may be supported by plugremoval tool 100 (and in particular the mounting bracket 101. In anon-limiting example, the mounting bracket 101 may have mount holes 102such that bolts (not shown) may bolt the mounting bracket 101 to astructure, such as a housing or exterior of a fluid conduit or to aframe component of a modular skid. As known in the art, a mountingbracket, such as the mounting bracket 101, may be any structure used toattach and support the plug removal tool 100 on a structure. It is notedthat the mounting bracket 101 in one or more embodiments may beconfigured as a flat metal sheet or any shape that fits the plug removaltool 100 on a structure.

In one or more embodiments, the plug removal tool 100 may include afirst swivel joint 103 fixed to the mounting bracket 101 about an axisof rotation 104. As illustrated, the first swivel joint 103 may rotatecounter-clockwise (see arrow 105). While the first swivel joint 103 isshown rotating counter-clockwise, it may be understood that the firstswivel joint 103 may rotate clockwise or both counter-clockwise andclockwise. In some embodiments, the first swivel joint 103 may include apin (not shown) to fix the first swivel joint 103 from rotating and/orto limit a degree of rotation. In a non-limiting example, the firstswivel joint 103 may rotate 360 degrees about the axis of rotation 104and a pin may be inserted into the first swivel joint 103 such that thefirst swivel joint 103 rotates 90 degrees in a counter-clockwisedirection. One skilled in the art will appreciate how the first swiveljoint 103 may be any joint allowing a degree of rotation.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 (as well as some components in FIGS. 3 and 4which are discussed in greater detail below), in one or moreembodiments, a first arm 106 may be attached or fixed to the firstswivel joint 103. In addition, a cover 122 may be used to furtherconnect the first arm 106 to the first swivel joint 103. The first arm106 extends from a first end 107 to a second end 108, such that thefirst end 107 is fixed to the first swivel joint 103 and the second end108 is free. Further, as illustrated, a second arm 109 is slidablyattached to the first arm 106 between the first end 107 and the secondend 108. The second arm 109 may include bearings 110 to allow a slidingmovement of the second arm 109 with respect to the first arm 106 (seearrow 111), perpendicular to the axis of rotation 104, both toward andaway from swivel joint 103 and axis of rotation 104. While two bearings110 are shown, it may be understood that any number of bearings may beused to slidably attach the second arm 109 to the first arm 106. It isfurther envisioned that the second arm 109 may include a lock to fix thesecond arm 109 in a position on the first arm 106. Additionally, thesecond arm 109 may be integrated into the first arm 106.

Still referring to FIG. 2 , in one or more embodiments, at a distal end112 of the second arm 109, second arm 109 may include a second swiveljoint 113 connected thereon, such that the second swivel joint 113 mayrotate about an axis of rotation 114 at the distal end 112. Asillustrated, the second swivel joint 113 may rotate counter-clockwise(see arrow 115). While the second swivel joint 113 is shown rotatingcounter-clockwise, it may be understood that the second swivel joint 113may rotate clockwise or both counter-clockwise and clockwise. I thiscase, the axis of rotation 104 is parallel to the axis of rotation 114.In some embodiments, the second swivel joint 113 may include a pin (notshown) to fix the second swivel joint 113 from rotating or limiting adegree of rotation. In a non-limiting example, the second swivel joint113 may rotate 360 degrees about the axis of rotation 114 and a pin maybe inserted into the second swivel joint 113 such that the second swiveljoint 113 rotates in a limited degree range in a counter-clockwisedirection. One skilled in the art will appreciate how the second swiveljoint 113 may be any joint allowing a degree of rotation. Further, thesecond swivel joint 113 may aid in aligning the plug nut 120 with anopening of a fluid conduit such that the plug nut 120 is inserted intothe opening straight.

Further illustrated by FIG. 2 , in one or more embodiments, the plug nut120 may be coupled to the second swivel joint 113. In a non-limitingexample, a second mounting bracket 116 may be used to removably attachthe plug nut 120 to the second swivel joint 113. The second mountingbracket 116 may be any apparatus, such as an L-shaped bracket, thatincludes a first end 117 attached to the second swivel joint 113 and asecond end 118 bolted (directly or indirectly through another piece) tothe plug nut 120. Furthermore, plug nut 120 may be rotated by ahand-wheel 121 Further, the plug nut 120 may be rotated mechanically orautomatically. As the plug nut 120 is unscrewed, the second arm 109 mayslide with respect to the opening to the fluid conduit, therebytranslationally moving the position of the plug nut 120 with respect tothe opening of a flow conduit. It is further envisioned that while FIG.2 shows two arms and two swivel joints, the present disclose is notlimited to such a configuration and may include any numbers of arms andswivel joints (and/or hoists) without departing from present scope ofthe disclose. For example, in a non-limiting example, the plug removaltool 100 may have one arm slidably attached to one swivel joint thatallow for both rotating and sliding the plug nut 120.

As seen by FIGS. 3 and 4 , in one or more embodiments, the plug removaltool 100 (as described in FIG. 2 ) is attached to a body 200 having afluid conduit 201, which may be a pot, on a modular skid 300. It isnoted that FIG. 3 shows a close-up perspective view of the plug removaltool 100 on the modular skid 300 while the plug nut is attached to theopening of the fluid conduit, and FIG. 4 shows a zoomed-out perspectiveview of the plug removal tool 100 when the opening is open (the plug nutis detached from the opening). The modular skid 300 may be any type ofmodular skid used for fluid flows through a fluid conduit 201. In anon-limiting example, the modular skid 300 may be a plug and trashcatcher skid. The plug and trash catcher skid may be used to helpprevent plugging of chokes (on the skid) and/or other surface processequipment during drilling, well testing or fracturing frac flow backoperations. Specifically, the plug and trash catcher skid has thecapability of continuous debris removal without shutting down flow backor drilling operations. Further, the trash catcher (debris catcher) isdesigned to catch and retain chunks from drilled plugs, for example.Said trash catchers are very effective to prevent erosion damage todownstream equipment and catch and retain debris, chunks and trash,drilled bridge plugs etc. Advantageously, the plug and trash catcherskid may aid in: removal and cleanup on horizontal-multilateralcompletion and workover; drill out of completion tools such as bridgeplugs, selective frac packer system; capture of frac sand and formationsolids; and/or work over use to capture drill out solids, such as cementretainer, bride plug, cement and formation solids frac sand, and fishingoperation solids.

In one or more embodiments, the modular skid 300 may include isolationvalves 202 coupled to the fluid conduit 201. The fluid conduit 201, inthis case a pot, holds the filter (not shown). In some embodiments, theisolation valves 202 are used to direct fluid from a fluid conduit ofthe modular skid 300 to the fluid conduit 201 where the filters are influid communications with the fluid conduit and are configured to filtera fluid flowing through the fluid conduit. While only one fluid conduit201 is shown, the present disclose is not limited to such aconfiguration and may include any numbers of pots without departing frompresent scope of the disclosure. In a non-limiting example, theisolations valves 202 allow for fluid flow to only go through one fluidconduit at a time, both fluid conduits, or none of the fluid conduits.Further, each fluid conduit 201 includes an opening 203 at an end of thebody 200. In combination with the plug nut 120, when the fluid conduit201 is a pot, the plug 201 forms a pot plug (201, 120) to enclose thefilter (not shown).

As further shown by FIGS. 3 and 4 , the plug removal tool 100 is mountedto the body 200 of the fluid conduit 201, in this case on top of thefluid conduit 201, to have the plug removal tool 100 near the opening203. While the plug removal tool 100 is shown mounted on the body 200,one skilled in the art will appreciate how the plug removal tool 100 maybe mounted on any part of the modular skid 300 such as a structuralframe or a component of the skid, without departing from present scopeof the disclose. In a non-limiting example, the plug removal tool 100may be mounted on a base 301 or a support beam 302 of the modular skid300. In some embodiments, it is further envisioned that the plug removaltool 100 may be mounted on a filter extractor tool 303. In one or moreembodiments, the filter extractor tool 303 is mounted on the base 301 toalign the filter extractor tool 303 with the pot plug (201, 120). Oneskilled in the art will appreciate how the filter extractor tool 303 iscoupled to the base 301 to be removable or fixed via mechanicalfasteners, welding, adhesives, or any known way in the art. It isfurther envisioned that while FIG. 4 illustrates the filter extractortool 303 coupled to the base 301, the filter extractor tool 303 may becoupled to any part of the modular skid 300. In some embodiments, thefilter extractor tool 303 may remain unattached to the modular skid 300and be disposed on a surface near the pot plug (201, 120). Once filterextractor tool 303 is aligned with the fluid conduit 201, the plug nut120 may be removed such that the filter extractor tool 303 is used toremove and clean the filter within the fluid conduit 201. Additionally,while the filter is being cleaned, a spare filter may be inserted intothe fluid conduit 201 to ensure operations continue without delay. Suchfilter extractor tools may include those described in acontemporaneously filed application entitled “Filter Extracting Tool andMethods Thereof” Ser. No. 62/751,252, which is herein incorporated byreference in its entirety.

As described above, in one or more embodiments, FIG. 3 shows theclose-up perspective view of the plug removal tool 100 with the plug nut120 closed on the opening 203. In order for the plug nut 120 to besealingly closed on the opening 203, the second arm 109 has slid inaxial direction on the first arm 106 to be at a position in which thesecond arm 109 is closest to the first end 107 of the first arm 106. Itis further envisioned that the second end 108 of the first arm 106 mayact as a stop for the hand-wheel 121 to abut against.

Furthermore, as described above, FIG. 4 shows a zoomed-out perspectiveview of the plug nut 120 removed from the opening 203 by the plugremoval tool 100. As illustrated by FIG. 4 , in one or more embodiments,the plug removal tool 100 may be rotated 90 degrees (or any otherdesired degree) about the axis of rotation 104 of the first swivel joint103 such that the plug nut 120 is in a non-operation position such thatit no longer interferes with or blocks the opening 203 of the pot 207.Additionally, the first swivel joint 103 may then be locked to ensurethat the plug removal tool 100 does not sway. While it is shown that theplug removal tool 100 is rotated 90 degrees, one skilled in the art willappreciate how the plug removal tool 100 may move any degree needed tohave the opening 203 be accessible. With the plug nut 120 rotated awayfrom the opening 203, the filter extractor tool 303 may now be used toremove the filter 305 from the fluid conduit 201.

As shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, in one or more embodiments, the plug nut120 may be a combination of a nut 123 and a plug 124, which are slidablerelative to each other. When plug 124 is inserted into a body 200, nut123 slides over the distal end of plug 124 and retains plug 124 withinbody by threading onto body. Specifically, the nut 123 is coupled to thebody 200 via a threaded connection 126 such that an inner surface 127 ofthe nut 123 may include threads to be threaded on threads of an outersurface 128 of the body 200. Nut 123 may be screwed onto body 200 byrotating hand-wheel 121 attached to nut 123. As nut 123 is tightenedonto body 200, a shoulder of nut 123 may abut a shoulder of plug 124,thereby retaining plug 124 within body 200 (and sealing body 200 fromthe external environment). In some embodiments, a bolted connection 125connects the second mounting bracket 116 to the plug 124, thereby. Whennut 123 is rotated via hand-wheel 121, plug 124 and the second mountingbracket 116 remain stationary. In a non-limiting example, bearings (notshown) may be inserted between the nut 123 and the plug 124 to allow thenut 123 to rotate over the plug 124. In another non-limiting example, asufficient clearance may be provided between nut 123 and plug 124 toallow the nut 123 to rotate over plug 124. As nut 123 is unscrewed awayfrom body 200, plug 124 may be removed from body 200 via its attachmentto mounting bracket 116.

Furthermore, methods of the present disclosure may include use of thefilter extractor tool and other structures, such as in FIGS. 2-5B.Because the method may apply to any of the embodiments, referencenumbers are not referenced to avoid confusion of the numbering betweenthe different embodiments.

Initially, a plug removal tool is coupled to a body of a fluid conduitto be near an opening of the fluid conduit in a modular skid. In anon-limiting example, a mount bracket of the plug removal tool is boltedonto the body. Once the plug removal tool is attached to the body, aplug nut is then connected to an arm of the plug removal tool via asecond mounting bracket so that the plug removal tool may support aweight of the plug nut. The second mounting bracket is coupled to theplug nut and a swivel joint of the arm. Next, the arm is slid in anaxial direction on a second arm to position the plug nut in front of anopening of the body. (the opening being in fluid communication with thefluid conduit). Further, at least one swivel joint of the arm is used toalign the plug nut with the opening. Once straightly aligned, ahand-wheel coupled to the plug nut is rotated to screw the plug nut ontothe opening and sealingly close the opening to ensure no fluids flowingthrough the fluid conduit leak. Further, the plug nut is screwed ontothe body via threads on a nut of the plug nut being threaded ontothreads of the body as the hand-wheel is rotated. Additionally, whilenut is being threaded onto the body, a plug attached to the nut issealingly inserted into the opening. Further, while the plug nut isthread onto the opening, the arm may in to correspond with anytranslational movement of the plug nut while being screwed. As fluidsflow through the fluid conduit, the fluids travel through a filterdisposed in the fluid conduit to filter debris from the fluid.Eventually, the filter may need to be removed for maintenance. In orderto perform maintenance on the filter, the filter may be removed from thefluid conduit through the opening; however, the plug nut will need beremoved first.

In order to remove the plug nut (and filter), the hand-wheel is rotatedto unscrew the plug nut from the opening such that the threads of thenut are unthreaded from the threads of the body and correspondingly, theplug is removed out of the opening. As the plug nut is unscrewed, thearm may axially move in a direction corresponding to the axial movementof the plug nut unscrewing. Once the plug nut is fully unscrewed fromthe opening, the plug nut removal tool supports all of the weight of theplug nut. In order to move the plug nut away from the opening, the plugnut may be rotated by at least one degree of movement away from theopening (including translational movement and/or rotational movement.For example, the first and/or second arm of the plug nut tool may berotated about an axis of rotation of the swivel joint(s), therebyrotating or pivoting the plug nut away from the opening. For example,the plug nut may be rotated 90 degrees from the opening to be in anon-operation position and then the swivel joint may be locked to keepthe plug nut from swaying. While 90 degrees is used, the degree ofrotation is not limited to 90 degrees and may be any degree necessary toclear the opening without departing from the scope of the presentdisclosure. With the plug nut removed from the opening, the filter maybe removed from the fluid conduit through the opening. In someembodiments, a filter extracting tool may be used to extract the filterthrough the opening. Once the filter is removed, a spare or new filtermay be inserting into the fluid conduit through the opening. With thespare or new filter set in the fluid conduit, the swivel joint of thesecond arm may be unlocked so that the second arm may rotate back toposition the plug nut in front of the opening. Then the swivel joint ofthe arm and a swivel joint of the second arm are used to re-align theplug nut with the opening to then rotate the hand-wheel to screw theplug nut back into the opening. With the plug nut sealingly closing theopening, fluids may flow through the spare or new filter without leaksfrom the opening.

While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present invention,other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devisedwithout departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof isdetermined by the claims that follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. A plug removal tool, comprising: a first mountfor attaching the plug removal tool to a structure; a second mount forremovably attaching the plug removal tool to a plug in an opening of aconduit, the plug secured by a plug nut that comprises a hand-wheel forrotation of the plug nut with respect to threads of the conduit; a firstrigid arm rotatable about the first mount and a second rigid armdisposed at a fixed angle and translatable with respect to the firstrigid arm; and at least one bearing, defining a bearing axis thattraverses the first rigid arm, configured to allow a sliding movement ofthe second rigid arm with respect to the first rigid arm, wherein thefirst and second rigid arms extend between the first mount and thesecond mount, wherein a mounting bracket of the second mount extendsfrom the second rigid arm above and downwardly in front of thehand-wheel, and wherein the first and second rigid arms are responsiveto a force applied to the hand-wheel, transitioning the plug removaltool between an operation position aligned with the opening of theconduit and a non-operation position for access to the opening of theconduit.
 2. The plug removal tool of claim 1, wherein: the first mountcomprises a mounting bracket that comprises a first swivel joint; thefirst rigid arm extends from a first end to a second end, wherein thefirst end is attached to the first swivel joint; the second rigid armslidably attaches to the first rigid arm between the first end and thesecond end; and a second swivel joint connected to a distal end of thesecond rigid arm and attached to the second mount.
 3. The plug removaltool of claim 1, wherein a second swivel joint has an axis of rotationabout which the mounting bracket rotates.
 4. The plug removal tool ofclaim 2, wherein the first swivel joint has an axis of rotation aboutwhich the first rigid arm rotates.
 5. The plug removal tool of claim 4,wherein the second swivel joint has an axis of rotation, parallel to theaxis of rotation of the first swivel joint, about which the mountingbracket rotates.
 6. A method for removing a filter in a fluid conduit,comprising: utilizing a plug removal tool that comprises a first mountfor attaching the plug removal tool to a structure, a second mount forremovably attaching the plug removal tool to a plug in an opening of afluid conduit, the plug secured by a plug nut that comprises ahand-wheel for rotation of the plug nut with respect to threads of thefluid conduit, a first rigid arm rotatable about the first mount and asecond rigid arm disposed at a fixed angle and translatable with respectto the first rigid arm, and at least one bearing, defining a bearingaxis that traverses the first rigid arm, configured to allow a slidingmovement of the second rigid arm with respect to the first rigid arm,wherein the first and second rigid arms extend between the first mountand the second mount, wherein a mounting bracket of the second mountextends from the second rigid arm above and downwardly in front of thehand-wheel and wherein the first and second rigid arms are responsive toa force applied to the hand-wheel, transitioning the plug removal toolbetween an operation position aligned with the opening of the fluidconduit and a non-operation position for access to the opening of thefluid conduit, removing the plug nut from the opening of the fluidconduit; supporting the plug nut with the plug removal tool, therebydefining a limited movement of the plug nut while removed from theopening; and removing the filter through the opening of the fluidconduit.
 7. The method of claim 6, wherein the removing of the plug nutcomprises rotating the hand-wheel attached to the plug nut to unscrewthe plug nut from the opening.
 8. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising sliding the second rigid arm of the plug removal tool tocorrespond with an axial movement of the plug nut.
 9. The method ofclaim 6, further comprising rotating the plug removal tool to have theplug nut in non-operation position.
 10. The method of claim 7, whereinthe rotating of the plug removal tool comprises rotating about an axisof rotation of a swivel joint.
 11. The method of claim 7, furthercomprising rotating the plug nut 90 degrees from the opening.
 12. Asystem, comprising: a modular skid having a fluid conduit, wherein thefluid conduit has a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet; and at least oneplug removal tool removably attached to the modular skid, wherein theplug removal tool comprises: a first mounting bracket that comprises afirst swivel joint; a first arm extending from a first end to a secondend, wherein the first end is attached to the first swivel joint; asecond arm slidably attached to the first arm between the first end andthe second end and disposed at a fixed angle with respect to the firstarm; at least one bearing, defining a bearing axis that traverses thefirst arm, configured to allow a sliding movement of the second arm withrespect to the first arm; a second swivel joint connected to a distalend of the second arm; and a second mounting bracket for removablyattaching the plug removal tool to a plug, attached to the second swiveljoint, wherein the plug removal tool is configured to remove or insertthe plug nut from an opening of the fluid conduit via a plug nut thatcomprises a hand-wheel for rotation of the plug nut with respect tothreads of the fluid conduit, and wherein the second mounting bracketextends from the second arm above and downwardly in front of thehand-wheel for attachment of the plug removal tool to the plug.
 13. Thesystem of claim 12, further comprising at least one filter in fluidcommunication with the fluid conduit, wherein the filter is configuredto filter a fluid flowing through the fluid conduit, and wherein thefilter is accessed through the opening of the fluid conduit.
 14. Thesystem of claim 13, wherein the modular skid is a plug and trash catcherskid and the filter is disposed in a pot attached to the fluid conduit,wherein the opening is at an end of the pot.
 15. The system of claim 14,wherein the plug removal tool is mounted on top of the pot.
 16. Thesystem of claim 12, further comprising at least one filter extractorremovably attached to the modular skid, wherein the filter extractor isconfigured to remove a filter when the plug removal tool has removed theplug nut from the opening.
 17. The system of claim 12, wherein the firstand second swivel joints have parallel axes of rotation.